LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME By Karen Blanco

Every Sunday during the 1030 am mass, a classroom full of 4-7 year olds gather together at the parish center for Magnifikids, a program under the Family and Life Ministry. It is a class where kids learn about the Sunday Gospel through fun activities like arts and crafts, story telling, games, song and dance.

As a volunteer teacher, I have witnessed how the above verse is made concrete through this program. Jesus indeed calls on everyone as His beloved children.

In a world where media and popular culture greatly influences the mindset and the lifestyle of even kids, it is very refreshing to have children equally talk about Easter as Christ’s resurrection and the egg hunt and bunny with so much gusto!

In a universe of violence and uncertainty, it is amazing that kids without hesitation sing the sorry song and reflect and pray for mercy for their sins.

Sure, these kids are not angels 100 % of the time. Sometimes they fight, call each other names and refuse to share crayons but in the end they make up, play and pray together.

As I end each class with these amazing kids, I am reminded to be childlike….loving and forgiving. They are truly gifts of our Lord not only to their families,but to our church as they serve as inspiration of love, joy, peace and hope to our imperfect lives.